The Magpies still are still fighting on three fronts but Eddie Howe will be given extra time to salvage season
Eddie Howe, Newcastle United head coach(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United chiefs won’t make any knee-jerk reactions on Eddie Howe and see the club’s concerning run of results as shared responsibility.
Sporting director Ross Wilson and CEO David Hopkinson will both shoulder some of the responsibility for a worrying home defeat against Brentford that leaves Howe under scrutiny from growing numbers of fans. The Magpies were booed off on Saturday night with the defeat leaving Newcastle in 12th place on nine wins from 25.
Despite the noise, Howe’s position remains secure and he will face the media on Monday morning at 9am ahead of the trip to Tottenham. He was quizzed by journalists after the club’s 10th Premier League defeat of the season and the third top-flight loss in a row.
When asked if he was worried about losing the 12th man, after also hearing his name chanted, Howe said: “No, I don’t think so because I think if we perform, the crowd will back us and they’ll be with us every step of the way.
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“I’ve got no issue with their reaction today. They’re reacting to what we deliver, so I don’t see that being a problem.”
Given Newcastle remain in the Champions League and the FA Cup, there is belief behind the scenes that the campaign can still end on a high. A two-legged tie against Qarabag gives the club a chance of a place in the last 16.
The FA Cup tie at Aston Villa will also be deemed winnable by Howe and his staff who feel the team can turn the corner. But there is no doubt that external pressure within the fanbase is increasing on Howe.
Hopkinson has already stated this year that Howe is safe and told Talksport just a couple of days ago: “Eddie’s our manager and he’s an extraordinary manager.
“Eddie’s our man and he has our total support here.”
Given that Hopkinson is essentially guiding PIF on the major decisions at Newcastle, the feeling in Saudi Arabia on Howe’s future will be similar. Going out the FA Cup and the Champions League would change the landscape again no doubt in terms of public feeling though.
Therefore it feels like the Newcastle manager’s job is Howe’s to lose for now. Newcastle would aso be faced with a huge compensation bill should they decide to switch managers, something PIF won’t want to do at the moment.
Howe look glazed as he took his seat at the Press conference on Saturday night and struggled to sum up his emotions.
He said: “I’m – I’m trying to pick the right words – annoyed with myself, angry with myself, blaming myself, taking full responsibility and accountability on my shoulders, no-one else.”
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